The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-22
Fathers Fatal Malady, a Grandfather s
Debility, and Sons Probable insanity
Manly Character of Frederick William.
Parnell Says the Effect of the Coercion
Act Is to Breed Contempt for Law,
And the Bungling Incapacity Shown by the
Authorities Is Certain to End in Disaster
General News by Ocean Gable.

hhf
universal interest in the New York papers to-
day appears in q communication given In the
Tribune relating to the son of the Grown Prince
of Germany. The statement is signed "A God
son of the Grown Prince" The following is the
material portion of it:
CAT a moment when the empire Of Germany
is on the eve of an immense catastrophe-far
greater even than il generally supposeo-tne
following observation from one who, since MS
hoyhood, has been terms of close pereoual
intimacy with the Crown Prince and whose
relatives have during the past century hiiea
numerous important posts in the household OF
the Prussian royal family. may prove or inter-
est In alluding To the fact that the public ap-
pears TO be unaware of the full extent OF tne
misfortune. which has so heavily stricken the
cartons state of health of Prince William of Prus-
STA. His condition has been thrown completely
il nto the background for the moment by the sue
den and overwhelming realization of his fathers
fatal malady and his grandfathers everlncreas-
ing Weakness and debility. hear the young
man spoken of all sides as likely TO ascend
tn 9 throne of Germany before the close OF the
coming winter, and numerous predictions are
published as to the manner in which his some
what unsympathstic and hasty character Is
likely to affect the future policy OF the empire
and the peace of Europe All these conJectures
are premature and unlikely to be realized, for
there Is considerable doubt as 20 whether the
young Prince will outlive either his fatner or
his grandfather. He Is suffering In severe oe-
gree from the same peculiar disease which car
red off the late King Of Bavaria. after render
ing him completely insane during the last few
wears of his reign. The disease consists or
never-ending succession of abscesses In that
part of the ear situated between the
tympanum and the base of the brain. The
technical name thereof IS otitis media, ana
the danger is ever present of meningitis and in
fammation of the brain setting IN. The poor
lads ears especially the right one. are IN con-
slant state of suppuratIoD, which il would be ia
tai 10 attempt to check, ana. stuffed they are
with large masses of discolcred cottonwood. his
aspect is hardly an inviting one. Every klhd OF
remedy, both in the shape OF indictments ana
medicinal baths. has been tried IN vain by MS
thoroughly alarmed physicians. The disease Is
making rapid progress. and there seems to be
no means available of preventing 1t from AFFECT
ing the brain at time which may possibly oe
somewhat remote, but which may also be near
at hand In addition to this, 1t must he borne
in mind that. unlike his father. his general
health is exceedingly bad, and that his left arm
is almost useless, having been withered since
mis- BIRTH"
I'm the event of the insanity or death of
Prince William, one the other of which ap-
nears to be inevitable within 9 measurably dis
lance OF time. the imperial crown, on the de-
mise of the old Kaiser and the Crown Prince,
dsyolyes On Prince Williams little four-year old
.
A bitter struggle would then ensue for the
regency, in which the Berlin Junker and Court
party is determined that the Crown Princess
Victoria shall have share. The animoslty
with which she has been regarded by Prince BIS
marek, and by the whole of that utra-German
party of which the late Prince Frederick Charles
was one of the leaders, is almost inconceivable.
and since the Crown Princes illness has even In
creased in intensity. In most cruel and un-
just manner they blame the faithful and devot-
ed wife for "Cnser Fritzsh hopeless condition,
attributine 1t to her obstinacy in persisting In
having his case attended to by the English spe-
claist Sir Morell Mackenzie. 1t is only few
years ago that the feeling against the crown
P,acess was running so high in Berlin that her
residence there became well-nlgh lntoleranle
Stung TO the quick by the repeated annoy ances
and sights to which she was subjected, both oy
the court and the government, the hlgh-spirlted
woman seriously thought of leaving Germany
for time with her husband. in order to make
prolonged stay in southern Europe and IN Eng
land It was only when she became aware that
her enemies were going about Berlin openly de-
ciaring that il she left the Prussian capital she
would not be permitted to come back again that
she determined 20 remain.
SIN the event of a long minority, such as
would ensue if Prince Williams little boy were
to become En peror, it is difficult to discover a
member OF the imperial. royal family, who
would be fit to undertake the regency. IL the
Grown Princess were left out OF consideration
Prince Henry. the twenty-hve-year-od con oil
the Crown Prince, a bright and popular lad, has
scarcely outgrown his boyhood, and his utter
inexperisnce of anything outside the nava! pro-
fession. to which he belongs. would totally unfit
him for so onerous a responsibility. L should
add that Prince Henry, who holds the rank OF
commander in the imperial navy. is, unlike his
elder brother. great favorite, both or his par.
ents and his sisters. He has. however, incurred
the displeasure OF the JuDker party at Berlin by
his betrothal to the Princess Irene. of Hesse-
Darmstadt. The more fact that this amiaole
| and charming young lady is the daughter or
| British Princess and s. granddaughter or queen
| Victoria. at whose court she has been almost
| entirely brought up. is sufficient to arouge the
| same bitter feeling toward her as are displayed
| in the case of the Crown Princess.
The question of the regency is further COM
| plicated by the inevitable disappearance from
| the political arena. before many years have
| elapsed of Prince Bismarck. whose failing
will erarcalv RQ init of his long surviving
| his present master He leaves no one TO take
| his place. There is not a single statesman in
| Germany whose name does not provoke n smile
! when he is mentioned as possible successor o
| the great Chancellor OF the )attsr's exceeding
| ly conc cited and overbearing son, Herbert II IL
| sufficie ut to say that his diplomatic achieve
rnents have been limited to pepperiug In a verJ
| unpleasant manner the legs of the heir apparent
| TO the British throne, while ont shooting witt
the Prince or Wales, to the court of whose moth
/ er he accredited at the time as charge
| d'affaires The manner in which he deserted a
| Venice the lovely Princess Calorath Beuthen
after persuading her to elope with him from Ber
| lin will scarcely have been forgotten. Nor vii
| the disgust which his conduct in the matter ha
| caused be mitieated when it is learned that tn
| poor woman. who was one OF the most deticat
and refined beauties OF the German court. ha
| been forced by poverty to seek refuge in a Par
isian garrett
AS TO the Crown Prince. it ls no exaggsratio,
TO state that he is tha beau-ideal of all that i
| finest. no blest. and best of the great Germal
| race "a tall, handsome, and noble-lookin
| man. with an elegant figure. light brown hair
| and a straw-colored beard, with most chival
rous and vet somewhat grave courtesv-a Teut
on in fact such Tacitus describes" is til
portrait which the Empress .Eueenia draws o
| him in writing to her friend, the Comtesse Wal
| evski His name. his appearance, and his chaE
| acter are famous throughout the world. The
are as well known in Japan and China as i
America or Europe. No breath OF scandal ha
| ever tarnished his fair fame, either as officer
| gentleman or in his domestic relations, an
| probably the highest testimony In his favor
the fact that the French WITH all their intens
| vipdictiveness against the Germans, have neve
| even uttered or published single offensive re
| mark about him. and that although he was on
OF the principal leaders of the invading army !
1870 his death will nowhere be more sincerei
| regretted than in France singulari,
devoted husband, his undseuised admiration
for his clever and talented wife ha
| given rise TO the rumor that he IS enflrei
| harx xvtiI CYL q this